No. 19 Tigers Defeat Lady Flames in Season Opener, 4-0

Despite a strong effort early by the Lady Flames in their season opener, the No. 19 Clemson Tigers netted two goals in each half, en route to a 4-0 victory over Liberty, in a lightning-shortened contest, Friday afternoon at Riggs Field.

Liberty pressured the Clemson net early, getting two-straight shots on goal by Ally Erving (R-So., F, Anchorage, Alaska) in the first five minutes of play. Each time, Lady Tiger keeper Ashley Phillips was up to the task, denying both attempts.

On the counter-attack, Clemson broke through at the 9:50 mark, as forward Nufria Zufia collected a pass from midfielder Molly Franklin and scored for a 1-0, Lady Tiger advantage.

The two squads then exchanged shots over the next 15 minutes play, before Julie Bolt extended the Clemson advantage to 2-0 with a goal in the game's 26th minute, a lead the Lady Tigers would take into the intermission.

In the half, Clemson edged Liberty, 5-4, on shots, with the Lady Flames holding a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks.

The Lady Tigers pressured the Liberty net to begin the second half, and upped their lead to 3-0 in the 57th minute. Molly Johnson netted her first goal of the season off a pass from Franklin, her second assist of the contest.

Clemson added another marker in the 73rd minute on an own goal by Liberty. Two minutes later, the match was suspended due to lightning, and shortly after, called.

The Lady Tigers outshot the Lady Flames, 14-5, while also owning the edge in corner kicks, 5-3.

Liberty goalkeeper Ashley Nyholt (Fr., Brampton, Ontario) made five saves in her first collegiate contest, while Clemson's Phillips turned back four shots.

The Lady Flames next travel to Flagstaff, Ariz., to participate in the Northern Arizona High Altitude Tournament, Sept. 7-9. Liberty will square off with host Northern Arizona in its first game of the tournament, on Sept. 7. Game time is set for 10 p.m. EST.